The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-16
DOING AS JOHNSON DESIRES
The Democrats in Council Lend a Help
ing Hand to the Street Railway.
The Contractors For the Improvement Of
Washington Street Demand Guarantee
that the Johnsons Will PayThelr Share.

At the Council meeting last night a couple OF
incidents occurred which commit the Demo
cratic councilmen to the interests Of the john
son Street Railway Company. An ordinance
requiring the company to put conductors on the
cars and abolishing the farebox system has
been pending for several weeks It is on its
second reading. AS it is measure
prepared at the request of the
Knights OF Labor, they naturally have a
for it They have waited, meeting after
meeting. for the ordinance to come MP for pas
sage but it did not appear. they tried to has
ten matters by having a petition presented ASK
ing for immediate action. The petition signed
by the executive board of the district assembly
given to Councilman Newand
some days ago. He was not present, being de-
tanned by affairs relating to his candidacy for re-
election, but the papers he had charge of were
turned over to Councilman Reinecke. It is
presumed this gentleman discovered the merits
of the Knights of Labor paper before he went to
the Council. AS he is candidate for alderman
it was dangerous document for him to handle,
even by request. To refuse to present it would
damage him among the Knights, and to do SO
would cause Colonel Johnson to de-
mand of him an explanation. The Col
onel is supporting Reinecke. but next to him
Stuckmeyer, who is not a candidate for re-eiec-
ton, and upon Stuckmeyer the responsibility of
presenting the petition was shifted. It is Gus
tomary IN matters of Importance for the one
presenting it TO request that petition be read
Councilman Stuckmoyer, however was not in
clined to accord this courtesy, as it would bring
too directly to the attention of the Council the
ordinances the Democratic councilmen do not
here is petition present to have referred to
the committee on railroads without
reading" It was so referred,
thought il related to any important measure
In this paper the sgners, the executive board
OF the Knights OF Labor. stated That they,
acting under the Instructions of district assem-
bly, No. LOG, central body which speaks for
5000 voters in the city, asked for the passage.
without further DELAY, of the ordinance now
pending relative to the placing of conductors
cars of the Citizens Street Railway Company.
and in relation to abolishng the fare-box SIS stem.
The street car is the workingman's vehicle, and
the lettering of the service is demanded not only
in compliance with law, but as convenience
and safe guard to those unfortunate to
possess no better mode OF. Transportation
1t was not many minutes after this petition
was summarily disposed of before another OPP
portunity arose for the Democratic councilmen
to show their favor for Colonel Johnson Two
weeks ago Fulmer, Seiberr 81 Cooper were
awarded the contract for the Washington
improvement Last evening they sent COM
munication to the Council stating, THAT as the
Citizens Street Railway Company has refused
In advance to pay for any part OF said improve
said contract was let, and action at law
will be necessary to determine its liability,
therefore, your petitioners have obtained
legal advice and informed that
the question is a grave oue and that it is i'm
possible to predict what view the Supreme Court
may take of it. The bid was made upon the
Street Railway Company would pay its assess
ment, and upon that il was figured down to a
very close margin but It will not justify rs to
take any risk. But your petitioners are ready
tn Ia he
to collect from the com any at the end Of law
suit, the city will be liable for and pay the
ordnance under which said contract was let"
Fulmer, Seibert g. Cooper asked for the pass
age of an ordinance to that effect.
1t was moved to refer the paper to the COM
mlttee on judiciary, in connection with the city
attorney, when Councilman Swain asked to
have referred to the same committee another
was from the Clifton Paving Company. the next
lowest bidder asking that the contract be award
ed to it under the first ordinance. The Demo
Gratis did not want the matter to take that
course Councilman Stuckmeyer urged that the
city should at once pass the ordi-
nance requested which would in effect
relieve the street-car company of any
burden as to the improvement If the street
car company. he said, fails to pay its share it
be ordered to take it's tracks off the streets.
Those who favored the reference to the commit
fore the contract was awarded that the street.
railway company had refused to bear any part
of the expense. They went into the bidding
with their eyes open. and the city had bust
ness to assume the debt that would belong to
the street-car company. The two communica-
tions were referred to the judiciary committee,
as the motion proposed.
The report of the county auditor relative to
the taxable values in the city was presented. It
showed the value OF lots to be $l9,91l 1865; OF i'm
provements. $l5. 863, $50; of lots and improve
nents, $35. 774.995, and of personal property,
s13 492 O90 making total of s49, 267 O85
An ordinance was referred to the judiciary
committee relating to solicitors standing in front
Of stores trying to induce people to come in and
pu rchase. It makes such acts unlawful and sub
ects the offenders to a fine not exceeding $50
The city tax levy for 1887 was placed at the
limit of 80 cents 800 with so cents for each